The Season 15 Sinner vs. Alcaraz showdown has concluded, leaving the public with a rather puzzling question: how can we evaluate this US Open clash between Sinner and Alcaraz more objectively and fairly?

When Sinner and Alcaraz faced each other for the third time in a Grand Slam final this season, everyone believed that as the US Open finale, the match would deliver a collision of titans, stunningly thrilling to the point of awe.

However, after this 2-hour and 42-minute match ended, fans and netizens discussing it afterward expressed a somewhat harsh opinion: Sinner’s competitiveness seemed to be fading, making him appear no match for Alcaraz.

This topic also explained why the match didn’t become the hot post-match discussion like previous encounters; clearly, it lacked the expected excitement and fell far short of pre-match expectations!

Looking back at the match, the first set saw Alcaraz win quickly 6-2, and then Sinner responded by leveling the score with a 6-3 second set, which all seemed normal.

But in the third set, Sinner’s performance suddenly dropped sharply, and it was this sudden shift that led many to feel the match, which was supposed to be electrifying, ended with a disappointing anticlimax.

Where did the problem lie? The reality showed that the outcome seemed firmly in Alcaraz’s control; how long the match lasted depended not on Sinner, but on when the Spaniard chose to finish it.

Therefore, since many hold this view, calling the Season 15 Sinner vs. Alcaraz match the least entertaining encounter between the two this season is probably the most fair, just, and objective judgment. Given the overwhelming public opinion, this assessment should stand unchallenged.

I recall that once Alcaraz had completely dominated Sinner’s momentum, early in the fourth set, fans and viewers in the live chat openly said they were no longer waiting to see if Sinner could turn things around, but rather “watching how Alcaraz would end the match and then the trophy ceremony.”

This clearly shows how obvious Alcaraz’s control of the match was. He was indeed commanding the game, relegating Sinner to a mere runner-up role, regardless of Sinner’s willingness or inner helplessness, the facts on court could not be changed.

Along with many sharing this opinion, a well-known sports commentator also weighed in. When reviewing the match, he not only called it “less exciting than before” but also pointed out that Sinner’s second set win was mainly because Alcaraz lost focus momentarily. Implying that otherwise, the match would have ended in three sets, never reaching a fourth.

The commentator considered this the least thrilling match between the two, citing a simple reason: “Sinner’s serving was very poor today, and his baseline control and acceleration couldn’t reach the required level.” Against an Alcaraz who “served and returned steadily, controlled the court with his forehand, successfully executed drop shots and net approaches,” defending the title naturally became extremely difficult.

In a post-match interview, Alcaraz described the fourth set, when he was close to victory, saying his legs felt very tight and slightly trembling in the last game. Logically, that was Sinner’s chance, but in the end, he could only watch Alcaraz seal the match without being able to do anything.

Some say if Sinner hadn’t suffered such a significant drop in form and could perform even half as well as he did against Bublik when he won three straight sets, then the so-called AI Sinner “most likely wouldn’t have let this chance slip away.”

Moreover, comparing this US Open duel with their five-set battle at Roland Garros and four-set fight at Wimbledon, the tension noticeably dropped in Season 15 Sinner vs. Alcaraz match. The usual live chat comments like “palms sweating nervously” and “need heart medicine ASAP” were almost completely absent this time.

Many regarded this match as the least impressive encounter between Sinner and Alcaraz this season, which can also be reflected in the Italian player’s post-match remark: “Today on court, my performance was too predictable for the opponent.”

It’s clear that Alcaraz’s quick control of the match was because he had already figured out everything about Sinner. Like Sun Wukong trapped in the Buddha’s palm, it was naturally difficult to reverse the outcome. Clearly, in this US Open final, Alcaraz was the Buddha figure, so there was no dramatic ups and downs or notable brilliance to witness. (Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River’s Starry Sky)